Halloween Parade of Pooches Seeks Record Number

Can there be enough chihuahuas in tu-tus? We think not, but we'll find out Sunday as Belmont Shore's signature fall event commences with hundreds of divine dogs donned in duds.

The extravaganza is put on by Shore resident Justin Rudd, who puts on monthly service projects and entertaining capers from beach-clean-ups to beauty pageants. Expect TV cameras and media, and a lot of vendors with pet-related wares. We share some photos from last year, before our Patch was launched.

Participants will attempt to break the world record for the number of costumed dogs in a parade. The organizers say the parade is expected to include more than 500 costumed dogs and a few thousand human gawkers. Haute Dogs will raise money for spay/neuter programs, rescue groups, Operation Santa Paws and other Long Beach service projects, according to organizers.

The event could use some volunteers from photographers and videographers to other tasks.

THE PARADE IS Sun., Oct. 30, 2011, 2:30 p.m. The start/finish is at Livingston Park, 4900 E. Livingston Dr. (@ Park Ave. in Belmont Shore), Long Beach, 90803. The vendor fair and pet adoption fair is in the park from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

$15/dog, pd. by Oct. 16 
$20/dog day of event
$35/VIP dog (advance only) - V.I.P. (Very Important Pooch!) you and your dog get to walk near the front of the parade
$10 each add'l dog, advance only
Free to enter the kids costume contest at 2:20 p.m. (kids will walk at the front of the parade, meet at the Tot Lot)

See website http://www.hautedogs.org/howloween.html for entry forms. Registration is open now.
Prize packs will be given to the judges' top-10 favorite entries, combination from any of the following categories: individual dogs, groups, or floats. Additionally, the following will receive prizes:
- best costume on a dog
- best costume on a person walking a dog in the parade
- best group (any combo of at least two dogs/people)
- best "float" Limit 4' wide. A float is any dog(s) riding in/upon/within a moving, non-motorized device; such as a wagon or pulled cart.